AgStart: Ashish Malik on How Biologicals are Transforming Farming
Agriculture is at a turning point. For decades, we've relied on chemical pesticides and fertilizers to drive crop yields, but the world is changing. Consumers demand safer food, farmers seek sustainable solutions, and governments tighten regulations on chemicals. This shift has created a massive opportunity for Biologicals—agricultural products derived from natural sources that can protect crops, improve yields, and reduce environmental impact.
As someone who has spent 20 years in this industry—working with both multinationals and startups—I've seen firsthand how Biologicals have evolved from a niche category to a rapidly growing market. Today, Biologicals are more effective, scalable, and integrated into modern farming than ever before.
What Are Biologicals?
Biologicals fall into two main categories:
Biocontrols – These include naturally occurring microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) or plant extracts that protect crops against pests and diseases. They work similarly to chemical pesticides but with less environmental impact.
Biostimulants – These enhance plant growth and resilience, helping crops reach their genetic potential by improving nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and overall health.
Within these categories, there are multiple types of Biologicals:
Microbials (bacteria, fungi, viruses)
Biochemicals (plant extracts, mineral-based solutions)
Macroorganisms (beneficial insects like predatory mites)
Unlike traditional chemical pesticides, which often have a single mode of action, Biologicals can offer multiple benefits—protecting plants, enhancing soil health, and even reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Why Biologicals Are Growing Rapidly
Biologicals have been around for decades, but their adoption is accelerating due to several key factors:
1. Consumer Demand for Cleaner Food
Consumers worldwide, especially in Europe and North America, are demanding lower chemical residues in their food. Some European grocery chains have imposed stricter residue limits than government regulations, driving farmers to seek alternative pest control solutions.
2. Government Support and Regulation
Regulators are beginning to recognize that the testing and approval process for chemicals isn’t suitable for Biologicals. Countries like the U.S. and Brazil have developed streamlined pathways for Biological approvals, making it easier for these products to reach farmers.
3. Technological Breakthroughs
Advancements in microbiology, genomics, and synthetic biology have dramatically improved the efficacy of Biologicals. Modern Biologicals can now match—or even exceed—the performance of chemical pesticides, and they often work well in combination with chemicals as part of an integrated pest management strategy.
4. Environmental and Sustainability Goals
Biologicals help reduce the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can contaminate water sources and harm beneficial insects. With growing concerns about climate change and soil degradation, sustainable farming practices are gaining traction, and Biologicals are a key part of that solution.
The Business of Biologicals
The Biologicals market has been growing at 12-13% annually, significantly outpacing traditional chemical crop protection. The industry is now valued at over $10 billion globally, with continued investment and consolidation.
Major agribusiness companies like Bayer, Syngenta, BASF, and Corteva have all invested heavily in Biologicals, either through acquisitions or internal R&D. Startups are also thriving, with over 1,000 companies globally developing new Biological solutions.
While early adoption was mainly in specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, row crops (corn, soybeans, wheat) are now adopting Biologicals at scale—particularly in Brazil, where soybean farmers have seen success integrating Biological solutions.
Innovative Delivery: Bee Vectoring Technologies
At Bee Vectoring Technologies (BVT), we’ve taken Biological delivery to the next level by using bees to apply beneficial microbes directly to crops. Instead of spraying fields with chemicals, we use a patented dispenser that attaches to beehives, allowing bees to carry a naturally occurring fungal microbe (CR7) to flowering plants.
This system:
✅ Reduces the need for chemical pesticides
✅ Requires no water and emits zero greenhouse gases
✅ Improves disease control and crop quality
In blueberries, for example, we’ve seen larger fruit sizes and a 40x return on investment for growers using our system. And because bees visit every flower during bloom, they provide more consistent protection than traditional sprays.
The Road Ahead
The future of Biologicals is bright, but challenges remain. While regulatory pathways are improving, they still vary by region. Europe, despite strong consumer demand, has been slow to create clear guidelines for Biologicals. Public perception of biotechnology also plays a role—technologies like gene-edited microbes hold great promise, but acceptance will depend on how they’re introduced to the market.
Still, one thing is clear: Biologicals are here to stay.
With increasing investment, stronger scientific backing, and growing farmer adoption, we are on the verge of a biological revolution in agriculture. Companies that embrace this shift will not only drive profits but also create a more sustainable food system for the future.
About Ashish Malik
Ashish Malik is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bee Vectoring Technologies (BVT), where he leads the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for agriculture. Before joining BVT, Ashish served as Vice President of Global Marketing for Biologics at Bayer CropScience, overseeing the integration of biological products with traditional agricultural inputs.
He also held the position of Senior Vice President of Global Marketing at AgraQuest and has experience in commercial operations with Syngenta. Ashish holds an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business and a bachelor's degree in Engineering from Swarthmore College.
